Frank Melis' Wine

Screaming Eagle’s neighbor does it again!

Jonathan and Susan Pey are the growers, vintners and “stewards” of Textbook wines. Their 2008 “Mise en Place” Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two special single-vineyard sites located on the extreme eastern side of the Oakville District, abutting the rugged and dry Vaca Mountain Range.

Textbook 2008 “Mise en Place” Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
Retail 52.00 – GGWC 48.99

A stunning follow-up to the “amazing” 2007 vintage. This close neighbor of Screaming Eagle will put the Eagle to shame. A full case of this “textbook” perfect wine won’t even buy you ¾ of a bottle of Screaming Eagle! The production of Textbook is about the same amount as last year, so it is equally limited, does not come in a fancy wood box and I have it available TODAY for you to buy and taste and enjoy. You can even buy cases of it! David Ramey is a stunning winemaker and this latest release. This wine is loaded with black currant and chocolate from the start to the finish. The wine is opulent, full in body and has layers of elegant fruit. This stunning Cabernet has a multi-faceted finish that goes on forever. As with its predecessor, this release is limited and will sell out fast!

Click the links for more info or to place an order!

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Redmon does it again! Little gem beats big guys in blind tasting!

For the second straight year Redmon Cabernet beat the who is who of Cabernet in a blind tasting.

We had 50 people our tasting last week.  We tasted – Dominus,  Baldacci, Cru from Vineyard 29, Chat. Montelena, Diamond Creek, Von Strasser, Insignia, Caymus Special Selection and Opus One.  The result: Redmon by a horse length!

Buy a case of Redmon and receive FREE GROUND shipping (within the continental US only, HI & AK client will receive reduced air shipping). If the weather is too hot, we will gladly store the wine and ship at a later (cooler) date.

Redmon 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon “Estate” St. Helena, Napa Valley
Retail 75.00 – GGWC 64.99

This is an amazing follow-up to the successful 2007 vintage. The good news — the wine is equally amazing in quality. The bad news — only 250 cases were produced, and the price went up just a little bit. That happens, mother nature is not always on your side in the quantity department. The wine has the most amazing nose. The aromatics jump out of the glass — tons of concentrated black currant, wild berries and a hint of cassis. On the palate, this amazingly sophisticated wine is well-balanced and loaded with more black stone fruit, mocha and hints of cassis. The wine is dense and full in body, gorgeous and oh-so elegant.  It has a 30 second finish that does not seems to end. Hurry on this one, because it will be gone in no time!

Click here or on the link above to order!

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Premier Cru quality at Bistro price!

I am excited to introduce the Knez Winery: An awesome new Pinot Noir producer. A new winery, but not that new…

Peter Knez is a longtime friend and client of Golden Gate Wine Cellars.  Peter purchased two very much sought after vineyards Cerise (Chronicle/Littorai, Anthill Farms,  William Selyem, etc.) and Demuth (DK, Anthill Farms, etc.) in the Anderson Valley; and also hired Anthill Farms winemaker Anthony Filiberti to be the captain of his ship and produce world class wines at palatable price points!  Being a banker and holder of PhD in economics; he knows what he is talking about

The rest is history!  Anthony is a great winemaker and both vineyards are stunning. Remember that  the wine is made in the vineyards! The entire property is organically and biodynamically grown as well.  But the wine!… Tell us about the wine!

The Knez 2009 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Cerise/Demuth) is intensely aromatic and flavorful, sexy body, great legs … sorry getting carried away here as I enjoyed these wines with my wife and … yes I am still talking about Knez Pinot Noir.  The wine is well-balanced from nose to finish.   The wine has a great color and aroma, followed by hints of sweet strawberries and hint earthy spice.  This wine is a blend of the Cerise and Demuth vineyards. A very small production at an even better price! Retail 35.00 – GGWC 29.99

Knez also produces a small amount of a stunning 100% “Demuth” 2009 Chardonnay (Retail 40.00 – GGWC 35.99) which reveals amazing aromas of quince, white peaches and nectarines coalesced with hints of minerality and a touch green apple spice, crisp acidity and a full-body loaded with fresh, lively fruit and a long finish.

Later in the summer two designated vineyards from this estate will be released as well.

Click on the links in the email for more information and to order!

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Carte Blanche, the next Petrus of Napa! 100 Points?

After the success with his own label, Luc Morlet is out of control (in a very good way)!  The latest releases of Carte Blanche Cabernet and Proprietary Red showcase Luc’s amazing talents.  A combined 425 cases of mindboggling wine was produced from this “next” Petrus of Napa Valley! This is a 100 point wine in my book!

This family has been in the wine business for nearly a century, since his great grandfather, Clarence Dillon, acquired Chateau Haut-Brion in 1935 and the family company, Domaine. Clarence Dillon, subsequently purchased Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion in 1983. This was the inspiration to produce his own boutique label in Napa Valley — Carte Blanche. With Luc Morlet (Peter Michael, Morlet, Chateau Boswell, etc.) at the helm; one only expects the best! We (you) got the best!

Carte Blanche 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The majority (94.5% Cabernet) of the fruit was sourced from Beckstoffers “Missouri Hopper” vineyard, the balance 4.5% Petite Verdot and 1% Malbec from the McBride vineyard. The nose reveals ripe, dark fruits of blackberry and currants with background hints of mocha and black peppercorn. On the palate, the texture is creamy and the attack is broad. Ultra-silky tannins showcase black currant and cassis, with high notes of black cherry. Mocha and tobacco linger on the finish. Fine grain tannins will allow for cellar aging. Only 300 cases produced.
Carte Blanche 2008 Proprietary Red, Napa Valley

This excellent wine is a Right-Bank inspired blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet and 20% Cabernet Franc. Select vineyards and blocks were chosen and farmed specifically to attain a dense, rich wine framed by delicate fine grained tannins. Newton Vineyard Merlot on Spring Mountain sits on a 45-degree, ultra rocky slope, offering the wine a full mid-palate while providing rich flavors. The Hopper Cabernet Sauvignon in Oakville provides a full spectrum of rich and dark fruit while ToKalon Cabernet Franc underscores the wine with nuances of mocha, tobacco and bittersweet chocolate. The wine opens slowly, revealing layers and complexity along the way.A nose of ripe plum, baked cherries, crème de cassis and faint asphalt. The palate is dense, showing rich flavors of currants, plum, mineral notes and a hint of cedar and cigar box. The finish is ultra-silky with notes of tobacco and bittersweet chocolate. Only 125 cases produced.

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Washington DC Wine Tasting

Golden Gate Wine Cellars will be hosting a tasting at a private residence near DuPont Circle on May 31st. Unfortunately, the capacity will be limited to 50 people. RSVP IS REQUIRED.

I am bringing the winemakers/owners of Coho, Malk, Knez (Hot new winery – winemaker from Anthill Farms), Charnu(Great new Cabernet producer from Napa), Redmon, Inherit the Sheep and Solitude as well as some other great wines (Paul Lato, etc.) with me as well! In all about 20 wines, and some great food!

It will be a very casual but fun night. Mingle with the winemakers, and finally put a face to that voice from San Francisco!

For more information, please contact me ASAP, as we are already more than half sold out!

Make sure to RSVP by May 1st as I need to make arrangements with the catering company and I will be shipping the wines out well in advance to they can “settle” before the “big” event.

Cost: $60 per person.

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A Value Priced Wine With an Expensive Taste

Situated on 335 acres of rolling oak and madrone woodland in the South-Western portion of the Alexander Valley, Medlock Ames produces organically farmed wines with an eye towards perfection and sustainability. The gravity and solar powered winery was specially designed for the gentlest possible handling of the juice and minimal environmental impact. This good karma has definitely paid off and the results show!

Medlock Ames 2007 Proprietary (Cabernet) Red Blend, Alexander Valley
Retail 34.00 – GGWC 29.99

This vintage is an estate blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.  Only a few hundred cases were produced of this little Alexander Valley gem.  It displays gorgeous aromas of blackcurrants, violets, anise, and a touch of minerality.  Stunning full-bodied, with amazing flavor extraction, but no sense of heaviness or massive tannins.  This full bodied, intense Cabernet based blend is drinking well now, but could use some cellar time and should drink well for a good decade to come.

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Sojourn kicks up some dirt! Big scores on ALL fronts.

Hailing from the town of Sonoma, Sojourn Cellars is establishing a reputation for producing excellent Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. They have just released some great new wines that have been very well received, and as was the case with its previous vintages, they are very limited.

#1 – Sojourn Cellars 2009 Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir
Retail 53.00 – GGWC 47.99

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex, spicy stewed cherry aromas; big, ripe, stewed dark cherry flavors; very complex, earthy, spice notes; silky texture; great structure and balance; long finish. Incredibly complex Pinot with laser-focused flavors.   Score: Pinot Report 97  & Wine Spectator 94

#2 – Sojourn Cellars 2009 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir
Retail 53.00 – GGWC 47.99

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex, dark cherry aromas with spice and dusty notes; ripe, complex dark cherry with cinnamon and pie spice notes; silky texture, sweet oak; great structure and balance; long finish. Tight now but also full of flavor and potential.  Score: Pinot Report 95  & Robert Parker 93

#3 – Sojourn Cellars  2009 Rodgers Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
Retail 53.00 – GGWCW 47.99

Medium-deep ruby color; bright, deep dark cherry aromas with earthy, mushroomy notes; deep bright cherry fruit flavors with mushroom and earthy notes and sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, complex Pinot that needs a good hour in the glass—dreamy with some mushroom pasta.  Score: Pinot Report 94 & Robert Parker 92 Points

# 4 – Sojourn Cellars 08 Beckstoffer Georges III Cabernet, Rutherford, Napa
Retail 105.00 – GGWC 94.99

Robert Parker 93 Points: “From the grand cru Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon has the biggest mouth-feel, with full-bodied, powerful crème de cassis notes intermixed with camphor, graphite, and Asian spice. Layered, thick, and rich, this wine showcases this extraordinary site beautifully. It should drink well for 15-20 years where well-stored. I have always thought of Sojourn as primarily a Pinot Noir producer, but they have added four Cabernet Sauvignons to their portfolio in 2008 after introducing a handful of them in 2007. These are all outstanding wines that merit attention.”

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Coho is spawning!

Coho 2008 Pinot Noir “Stanly Ranch”  Carneros
Retail 45.00 – GGWC 39.99

This wine comes three distinct Dijon clones of Pinot Noir on Stanly Ranch in Los Carneros. Ripe aromas of black cherry, wild berry and enticing ripe plum aromas mingle with floral violet scents with a toasted almond and vanilla-infused bouquet. Rich and mouth-filling on entry, where the opulent texture reveals layered black cherry, plum and red currant flavors and fine-grained tannins which builds finesse on the elegant finish.   Only 411 six-pack cases produced. (One full case gets FREE SHIPPING. Yes, you can mix and match)

Coho 2008 Pinot Noir Russian River Ranch
Retail 45.00 – GGWC 39.99

The Green Valley area of the Russian River Valley is famous for its cool climate and sandy-loam Goldridge soils that provide excellent drainage and low soil fertility. This combination produces Pinot Noir with a distinct intensity of fruit aroma and bright flavors. The Coho 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir has perfumed, deep black cherry and crisp cranberry aromas, with hints of fragrant dried rose petals, cinnamon and cigar box. The wine is rich with forward fruit and focused “Pinot” aromas coupled with supple tannins and a lush texture on the finish. (One full case gets FREE SHIPPING. Yes, you can mix and match)

We still have small amounts of the following Coho wines left:

2007 Coho Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Coho Merlot
2008 Coho Headwaters Cabernet blend

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The Story of the Coho Salmon and Coho Wines

Coho wines are inspired by the Salmon of North Pacific and Celtic legend. The salmon embodies an innate wisdom, essential to understanding ourselves and our environment. As stewards of the land winemakers must strive to sustain our habitat and the species that share it. And like the salmon we need the steadfast will to keep going no matter how difficult the journey.

Like all the other Northern Pacific salmon, Coho were revered by the indigenous people of the northern Pacific basin; from California to Japan. There are countless stories and legends amongst many cultures that exalt the salmon for their wisdom and generosity. Not only do the salmon feed humans and other animals, but their decomposing bodies enrich the soils near the shallow pools where they spawn and die. A UC Davis study a few years ago traced elemental “fingerprints” called nitrogen isotopes, that have their origin in salmon, were present in grapes grown near salmon rich creeks and streams.

Native fish in California are in a crisis as habitat continues to disappear at alarming rates. Restoring and maintaining habitat for salmon and other native plants and animals is essential to keeping a natural balance in the world we share with them. There are many wonderful organizations that are committed to this important work. Below are links to several of them.

Links:

www.salmonnation.org
www.caltrout.org
www.spawnusa.org

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An expensive wine at an economical price!

Orin Swift 2009 Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
$29.99

David Phinney is on a roll ever since the sale of Prisoner.  He is focusing on small production lots like – Mercury Head, Papillon, Palermo, Saldo, etc.  This stunning release of 90% Cabernet blended with 10% Merlot from some of the best sites in Napa (Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Spring Mountain) will blow your mind!

I was shocked at the low price for this wine, and because of the value price I know that it will be gone in no time!  This wine tastes a lot more expensive than its retail price.  When I tasted it for the first time I said $50.00!  This wine has everything you are looking for and some more!  Aromatics, flavors, balance, finish!  Shocked that this all fits in a package at only $29.99!  Hurry as this one will sell out within 24 hours or less!

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